Switch-bar.



PATENTED NOV. 27, 1906- H. B. COWLEY.

SWITCH BAR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 13, 190 6.

' rnz NORRIS Fsrsnscm, WASHINGTON. n c.

HIRAM B. COWLEY, OF BESSEMER, ALABAMA.

SWITCH-BAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 27, 1906.

Application filed August 13. 1906- Serial No. 330.464.

To all whom, it many concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM B. COWLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bessemer, in the county of Jefferson and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Switch- Bars, of which the-following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved construction of switch-bar arranged to rigidly connect a pair of switchpoints to the switch-actuating mechanism and adapted to be adjusted wherever necessary to compensate for the spreading or contraction of the switch-points due to differ ences in the atmosphere and other causes.

The invention consists in the constructions and arrangements of the parts hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved switch-bar, illustrating it applied. Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof.

Corresponding and like parts-are referred to in the following description and indicated in both views of the .drawings by the same reference characters.

My improved switch-bar 1 comprises a preferably integral strip of metal so shaped upon itself as to produce a main connecting member 2, which extends transversely of the track and between two adjacent ties, oppositely-extending laterals 3 at the ends of the main member 2, and return portions 4, that are doubled upon the laterals 3, so as to provide a double thickness of the metal producing the laterals, the extremities of, said returned portions projecting beyond the main supporting member 2 in opposite directions, as shown, and constituting portions for the attachment of securing-rods 5. These latter are provided with threaded shanks inserted through apertures in transverse alinement with the laterals and extensions 4, as shown, and each of said securing-rods is preferably flattened at its end, as indicated at 6, and is provided with two apertures, (designated 7 and 8, respectively.) The switch-points are secured to the flattened portion 6 of the rods by any desired fastening means, and bellcranks or other operating devices are connected to the securing-rods 5 at the other apertures 8, said bellcranks or other operating devices being connected by link-rods or similar means to the switch-throwing levers, which may be of any desired construction and arrangement.

The two securing-rods 5 are held rigidly in connection with the switch-bar 1 and directly to the portions 3' and 4 thereof by means of opposite j am-nuts 11, which work on the threaded portions of the said rods at opposite sides of the portions of the switchbar 1. Hence the switch-bar is securely connected to the rods 5, and at the same time provision is made for adjusting the said rods with respect to the switch-bar so as to compensate for the contraction and expansion of the switch-points due to changes in atmospheric conditions or any other causes.

From the foregoing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided improved means for securing the switch-points together and to the switch-actuating mechanism, which will hold the switch-points at their proper relative positions under all circumstances, and materially assist in the proper maintenance and operation of the switch.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Switch point securing means of the character described, comprising a bar provided with a transverse main supporting portion and oppositely-extending laterals at its ends, and securing-rods connected to said laterals.

2. Switch-point-connecting means of the character described, comprising a bar provided with a main supporting member, said member extending transversely of the track and provided at each end with a lateral, said laterals extending in opposite directions from the main supporting portion and being doubled upon themselves and extending in opposite directions beyond said main supporting portion, and securing-rods adjustably connected to said laterals and to said returned extremities, substantially as set forth.

3. Switch-point-connecting means of the character described, comprising a bar provided with a main supporting member, said member extending transversely of the track and provided at each end with a lateral, said laterals extending in opposite directions from the main supporting portion and being doubled upon themselves and extending in opposite directions beyond said main supporting portion, and securing-rods connected to said laterals and to said returned extremities, substantially as set forth.

4. Switch-point-connecting means of the character described comprising a bar embodying a transversely-extending main supporting portion, and oppositely-extending lateral portions doubled upon themselves andprojeoting in opposite "directions beyond the main supporting portion, securing-rods provided with threaded portions extending through transversely opposite extremities and laterals of the said bar, as setforth, and

means for securing said rods to'the portions of th'ebar'before'named, the outer-ends of each rod being-flattened and provided with apertures, for the purpose specified:-

5. Switoh-poin't-connecting means of the character described, comprising a bar em=| forth, and jam-nuts on the threaded portions of said rods on both sidesof eaohofthe said r laterals and extremities 'thereof,-.-the' outer ends of each rod being flattened and provided with apertures for the purpose specified. i

In testimony Whereo-fl afiixmy signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HIRAM BJCOWLEYQ [L S.]'

Witnesses: I

. A. S. FITZPATRIOK,

J.'A. EsT'Es-r 

